14 miles with a workout in there last Friday… I was honestly so proud of myself by the end. It had been almost a year since I last did a week with two speed workouts and a long run, and my body definitely remembered during the 3 miles (@ 6:12) that we did from miles 10-13. During those speed miles, I really struggled because I overanalyzed how uncomfortable I was and how badly it was hurting.

I remembered what a friend of mine told me when I asked how his workout went: “I don’t know, I try not to think about how I feel during speed.” I decided to stop thinking about how I was feeling in the last mile and was able to catch back up to my friends. Less thinking is the answer for me in a lot of ways sometimes;)

(pocket bra, shorts)

We did our long run before school so that we could beat the heat.

Between one kid being sick one day and orthodontist appointments the other day, Friday was our official first day just the two of us. We’ve been married for over ten years, but we started with two three-years-olds, which means this is a whole new chapter for us. The trails we are going to check off!

We tried out brunch at First Watch, and my hash brown bowl was heavenly.

The big kids had plans with their friends, and our friends invited us to come swim with Beck and Skye. Have you ever had a peach Fresca? If not, please do today.

Saturday morning was an early one, jam-packed with games for our kids. The best way for me to get in a run that day was to run to the fields–> 7 miles.

I packed clothes in Andrew’s car to change into at the fields because being in a sweaty sports bra post-run is the greatest form of torture.

I could watch them all play all day.

Next up was Beck’s game! He scored two goals, and he was so proud of himself.

He fell asleep during Skye’s game because those two goals of his took a lot of energy.

Cheddar Broccoli Soup happened!

And so did this gorgeous piece of toast a few times.

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Staying in your sweaty running clothes torture for you, too?

Ever run to where you need to go for errands/games/work/anything?

Please tell me about your weekend!

What was the last new-to-you eating spot you’ve tried?

The post New Chapter + I need to think less. first appeared on The Hungry Runner Girl.

Day #2 for Beck!

(tank, shorts)

It’s crazy how a few days of school have made Beck look double his age.

I didn’t run, but I did walk with Knox to school, just the two of us. He is the best.

Three soccer games and one football practice yesterday.

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili (we add an extra can or two of tomato soup to make it more soupy) for din-din. The crockpot is the only way we can survive soccer season.

Now for the favorites of the week!

*JCREW is crushing it with the fall lineup. These jeans and this tiny rollneck sweater is my new favorite outfit. AD. I’m ready for sweater weather, so I can never take this sweater off.

Just know I feel so incredibly awkward each time I take these, and never in real life have I ever stood like this, yet for some reason, I do when the camera comes out.

*The Dance Studio Joggers are in the top 5 most popular things I’ve ever sold on this blog. I have them in a few different styles, and they fit so well, last forever, feel amazing on the skin, and make you look put together while staying comfortable all day. These ones are on sale!

I get to try A LOT of products (as you can see in my picture below… my nieces, Brooke, and sis try them all too;), but I ONLY share the ones I could not live without. If I could only pick three face products for the rest of my life, it would be:

1. Dermal Micro Points. I used to get micro-needling done every 8ish weeks, and I’ve stopped ever since I started using this product 2-3 times a week. I feel like it gives me the same results as micro-needling did! It tingles so good. It revs up the collagen and the body’s natural healing system.

2. Extreme Cleanse! Nothing gets my makeup or the day off better than this cleanse, and it strengthens the skin barrier at the same time. I love how the creamy milk cream works into my skin and how my skin feels afterward. SO many cleansers leave my skin feeling like the Sahara Desert. This one takes everything off while moisturizing it at the same time. AD

3. Extreme Cream. I’ve refilled this a few times because I love it so much. Once you try it, just expect to be a customer for life. I warned you.

*The Era Flip 40oz. It’s still 100°F here, and I have had this bottle attached to me at all times. It is completely leak-proof, and the straw slides down… I may or may not have had ants crawl into the straw of my other bottle at a soccer game (thankfully, I hadn’t had a drink of it with said ants), and I think it may have ruined me forever. This water bottle has solved that problem because it slides over completely to seal off the straw. I love the colors, I love how it keeps my ice frozen all day, and I love how easy it is to take apart to clean.

*I have a new Albion Fit code to get 25% off–> LD25JANAE

*If you want more favorites, you can check out my previous ones here, here, here, here, here, here, and here,

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What are your weekend plans?!

Have any favorites?

Have a long run soon? Tell me about it!

Always have a water bottle with you? Or no?

The post Friday Favorites! first appeared on The Hungry Runner Girl.

(tank, shorts)

Here I go again, tearing up as I write this and I look at this picture of Beck. I am a crier. If I’m hurting, my tears flow and flow and flow. But a good cry is so cathartic for me, and I love the reset it brings me. It also flips my perspective into gratitude for this beautiful stage of my life that I loved so deeply. I’m grateful.

But I cannot look at a Lego, drive by Panda Express, or listen to Noah Kahan while he is at school.

He was so ready.

My running gal pals have already hit this stage of life, and they were just the mentors I needed. 8 miles in my favorite place.

And then it was really strange because we had Knox, Skye, and Brooke while Beck was at school haha. They had an ortho appointment, and they cherish their ortho t-shirts because if they wear them to the appointment, they get a prize.

Skye got her bottom braces put on, so we went for french toast afterward to celebrate.

Another day, another beautiful bowl of food.

And then it was her turn to get time in my niece’s chair as a model. A fresh haircut and styling! Skye’s face when she found out she was going to style her hair down to get it passed off and not in a ponytail or braid:

She put it back in a ponytail a few minutes after this photo;)

My sis and I got a few more things done on our checklist for our new adventure (an overwhelming checklist, but we’re focusing on one thing at a time). Shout-out to my attorney brother for helping point us in the right direction and talking through so many points with us.

Beck loved it. He loved his teacher (I am positive she is Miss Honey), he loved recess, he loved friends, and I had his favorite pumpkin bread waiting for him when he got home to hear all about his day.

A few months ago, I was accepted for the St. George Marathon elite bib, and I realllllly thought I would run the marathon. And then June and July hit, and training fell off the radar. But good news, they let me switch to the half, and it feels so right and very exciting, especially after having a solid workout this week. I’m so excited for the next 5 weeks of training. I haven’t focused on a half-marathon in quite some time.

The last time I ran this half-marathon was in 2021, and I finished in 1:22:10. I’m determined to go under 1:20 this time (good amount of downhill!). Baby Beck.. my heart!

PS I graduated!! I graduated from my periodontist. My grafts have all taken, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to never have to go in for a check-up again (I hope… at least not for a few more decades). I was very relieved to receive this diploma, and so is my bank account!

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Are you much of a crier or not?

Who has a fall race on the docket?

Did you have braces? For how long?

What do you have going on today?

The post I graduated + Time to get ready for a race. first appeared on The Hungry Runner Girl.

(tank, shoes)

I am positive that the hardest part of races and workouts may be the fact that we have to force ourselves to eat at a time so early in the morning that it hurts to breathe.

3-mile warm-up, 2 x 2 miles (1 mile recovery), 1 mile fast, 1 mile cool-down. 10 miles total @ 7:24 average pace.

I wasn’t the only one to flop to the grass yesterday!

2 THINGS:

*Never ever trust the warm-up. It’s a liar, it tells you there is no chance you will succeed and that you shouldn’t even try. My worst warm-ups have turned into my fastest workouts.

*Turns out heat training really does do a lot for us. After many runs in the 80°F range, it was only 71°F yesterday, and I got a new PR on a segment without even trying to get a new PR. It was a happy surprise!

We checked off a few things from our to-do list and took solid notes from the tips you sent to us yesterday (thank you!).

Beck wanted his buddy to hang with us on his last day of summer.

When you get home from the store and realize you didn’t blend your bronzer.

My niece is in cosmetology school now and needs models to practice on, so I am happily volunteering for any opening that I can. I think she is already a pro at all things in this field, but she’s gotta get that license!

I LOVED the after of the wash and blowout that she did for me.

And the best sandwich ever–> Roasted Garlic Caprese Grilled Cheese for dinner.

Today is going to be a big day for both of us. It’s been 14 years with a constant sidekick. I hurt.

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This time of year feels even more like a fresh start to me than Jan. 1st. Something about summer transitioning into fall makes me feel like NOW is the time to start chasing after new goals. I have so many parts of myself that I want to develop right now that I’m giddy with excitement. Maybe it’s actually sleeping again (in summer we were up late and up early), the shift in temps (well, we have only dropped one degree so far), and the craving for schedules again after living schedule-free for a few months (or me trying to numb the pain of my baby in kindergarten;). I don’t know what it is exactly, but it just feels like now is the time to go for our goals.

If you have running/fitness goals burning in your heart, NOW is the time. Now is the time to submit payment for the race you’ve been thinking about continually for months. Now is the time to work towards making it up to the top of that huge hill in your neighborhood. Now is the time to make time for yourself and to get outside to move for your mental and physical health. Running and walking will change your life for the better, and there is no one more deserving than you, no matter what point you are starting from, to get the rewards of movement in nature (or wherever you love to move)! If you are starting fresh or you’ve been there before and you want to get back, here are my biggest tips.

1- Sign up for a race. There is nothing like spending your hard-earned money on your goals and not wanting to waste it, which will help you to stay motivated.

2- Do it with someone. Whether it’s your partner, your kid, your sister, your brother, your neighbor, the run club that your running store puts on, or the run club you decide to start, do it with someone. Doing it with people is my #1 motivator, and why not improve your social health at the same time you are already improving your mental/physical health.

3- Remember, forward is a pace. And the person you are comparing yourself to is comparing themselves to someone faster… comparing is such a waste of energy that we could put into much bigger things. Move forward; that’s all it takes to get to your goals.

4- One mile at a time. I know it can feel SO overwhelming to look at the big picture, or the entire training plan. But you only need to be in the mile you are in, and you do not have to think about any other mile in the future.

5- Do your best to talk to yourself the way you talk to your best friend. We don’t have much control over the first thoughts that come into our heads, but we have full control over what we do with them. Dwell on the negative or spin it into a neutral or positive thought. Our thoughts DIRECTLY impact our performance; why not set yourself up with thoughts that will take you towards what you want in life?!

6- You’re not too anything. You are not too old, too slow, too weak, too anything. Take that too out of your vocabulary!

7- I’m serious. If you need someone to check in with about your progress, to help keep you going, I AM YOUR WOMAN. Nothing would make me happier than cheering for you in the comments, in emails, in DMs; heck, if texting is your thing, let me be your cheerleader. A lot of my joy comes from cheering for people so really this is me selfishly asking for more joy by being your cheerleader;). I am here for you. I believe in you. NOW is your time to work towards the person you want to be. This feels like the proper time to include my 9th-grade cheerleading photo.

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Does this time of year feel like a fresh start for you? A time to set goals?

Tips for me as I send my baby off into the world!?!

Eating early before a run a struggle for you, too? Or no?

Noticing the benefits from summer heat training yet?

The post Now is the TIME! I hurt. first appeared on The Hungry Runner Girl.

She quit her job. 9/9 of our kids are in school (well, Beck will be tomorrow). IT’S TIME TO GET TO WORK.

We’ve both been craving the chance to make a big difference in people’s lives, and we couldn’t be more excited about this new adventure.

We are starting a design nonprofit.

My sister has mastered the art of redesigning a space to perfection, and I have mastered storytelling (at least I am telling myself I have;) on the internet. Neither of us has the other’s skills in these areas, but it’s time to combine forces and help others.

Our dream is to do room (and someday home) makeovers for people in our area (and who knows, branch out to other areas once we figure this all out) who need to be lifted. My sister and I have both been in the lowest of lows at different times in our lives (we can all relate!), and want to do something to brighten the lives of people who have hit rock bottom. And to do it ALL for free for them.

We believe that the spaces we spend our time in impact so much of our lives and overall mental wellness. A beautiful space can bring peace, rest, excitement, joy, energy, and the feeling of safety. If we can bring those feelings to a child who is returning home after being in the hospital for months, or a family that is drowning in bills, or a teenager struggling with the grief of losing a parent, or a newly single mom who spends her nights in her new baby’s nursery… We will have fulfilled what we are setting out to do for others.

So, I’ll document the process, write all about it, share it, and raise money for projects. I’m hoping that through sharing the process and my sister’s amazing tips and tricks, we will be able to pay our hourly wages through ad revenue and affiliate marketing on a separate blog (and if that monetizes above hourly wages, we can use that money towards the spaces), so 100% of every penny donated goes towards the individuals and families we are helping. My sister will be doing the designing–> she has fully remodeled two houses by herself and worked for years as a designer at a large company. In the beginning, we will be doing all of the labor ourselves (she will make all of the decisions; I’m just there to work and document;), but as we grow, who knows how things will go. And as mothers of nine kids in total, the school year will be our busy season.

It will obviously be slow-moving at first, but with time, we hope to really figure this out and create stunning spaces for as many people as we possibly can.

PS NOTHING will be changing here. I love this space. It’s a huge chunk of me. I’ve been doing it for 16 years this October. I’ll probably include parts of our journey along the way, but hungryrunnergirl.com will still be a thing when I’m a great-grandmother and for as long as I can type.

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Okay, back to the running and tangents things that I love to do on a Tuesday!

*9 miles @ 8:22 average.

*I honestly just need to wear the Forme Bra all day long for what it does for my posture. Plus, everyone who sees it tells me it is so cute, which helps me feel cool, so I definitely need to wear it all day long;)

*Brooke and I had our nail date:). I look forward to this time, just the two of us, getting cute nails all month.

*I have a code for your back-to-school needs–> AERIESHOPMY20 for 20% off at AERIE! You can use this code until 8/27! This code is stackable with other codes, too. I went with these pants, this top (below; I want it in more colors!) and these shorts (for Brooke and me to both use and love:).

*These Chipotle Copycat Bowls are phenomenal. Thanks for the inspiration, Valene:)

*And so were these 3-ingredient pumpkin donuts!

*A 56-MINUTE HALF-MARATHON?!

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Give me your tangents!

Any tips for us as we go about this new adventure?

The post Me and my sister’s New Company. first appeared on The Hungry Runner Girl.

(tank, shorts)

Let’s start all the way back on Friday–> I NEEDED a run with my friend, Jo, and Andrew and Beck invited her little boy to come over so we could run together. Beck told me he was going to feed him lunch and teach him addition and multiplication. 7 miles @ 8:26 pace.

And on Saturday I got in a long run–> 12 miles @ 8:08 pace. I did one speed workout last week and a long run… look who is back training!

And then it was a full day of soccer. Brooke’s dad was in town to spend time with her, and we all went up to her game together in SLC, followed by lunch at Hires with her entire team, and then a BYU soccer game. When Brooke’s dad introduces himself to other people here while he is visiting, he says, “I’m Brooke’s other dad.” I feel SO lucky; there is no competition or weirdness, just a lot of love for Brooke from everyone.

We prefer standing right here for the games; it almost feels like you are on the field playing with them.

And then we got to see our FAVORITES.

My girls love Presley so much that we have her trading card with us wherever we go… We ran into her the other day and had to get a picture of her card with her;). She remembers their names and makes my girls feel like they are her best friends. They look up to her so much.

And Camryn Jorgensen was Beck’s coach at soccer camp this last year, and she made the biggest deal about him when she saw him after the game.

Andrew made this In-N-Out copycat bowl, and it really did taste just like In-N-Out!

And on Sunday we spent hours and hours at the park.

It was a stunning night.

I am SO beyond excited to tell you about a new company my sister and I are starting! Nothing will change here on the blog, but I am so excited about this new adventure that I cannot even sleep at night.

I think we will be able to officially share more this week, but I have been DYING to tell you, hence this teaser;)

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Tell me about your weekend?!

Last sporting event you went to?

Favorite BOWL recipe? As you know, meals served in bowls are always my favorite.

Any guesses as to what my sister and I are up to?

The post SO many things to chat about… I’m so excited, I can’t sleep. first appeared on The Hungry Runner Girl.

(tank)

So far, 2/2 days everyone was on time… let’s see how long we can keep this streak going. I’m already doing better than last year;)

Beck knows I am going to miss him a lot while he is in kindergarten. In the car yesterday, he told me, “Don’t worry, Mom, I’ll let you check me out every Tuesday and Friday.” I’m taking him up on that.

I walked while he rode his bike

We also got in some street hockey, which I am counting for fartleks, even though it was my rest day from running;)

Pasta Primavera for dinner! I added some rotisserie chicken because this wouldn’t have filled up the teens without it;)

And of course, we ended at the fire.

Now for some favorites!

*This color in my favorite long-sleeve running top…. It’s so bright, you will be seen! I’m ready to wear this first when things start to get chilly! Also, so many of my favorite things from Athleta are 30% off right now-> Here!

*This set from Spanx has my heart. They sent this to me, but I would buy it with my own money if I somehow lost this set: Top (small) and bottoms (I have them in XS tall). They feel like an actual treat on. Now for it to cool down so I can live in it.

*Just in case you have a teen girl in your life for whom you need gift ideas, this is what I got Brooke for her birthday: this perfume set, sundae and Daise shower cream (and body spray), this brush, threads wallet, etsy necklace, foldover makeup bag, similar earrings, shower pack, lip mask, Summer Fridays (lip butter, perfume, eye patches), shower steamers, Billabong shirt, and mini soccer ball.

*I was in American Eagle with Brooke shopping for her, and this sweatshirt jumped out at me. The trim around the neck and sleeves makes it look like you are wearing a layered outfit. It comes in a few different color combos.

*I have an At Home code for you to get 15% off! AHAYP You can use it online or in-store! They have so many good things right now; I wanted it all. I only get a few days to decorate for fall before Andrew gets Halloween up.

I love their mums right now; they look so real.

*I’ve used my Hatch alarm clock for YEARS and have loved it. It lets me plug my phone in the bathroom at night and wake up smoothly to the light and sounds that slowly get louder. A normal alarm clock starts my day off with a spike of cortisol and stress; I can never go back.

I heard about the new Hatch Sleep Clock and was very excited to try it (they sent it to me!). My favorite parts about it include the sunrise alarm for a gentle wake-up, an unwind routine, sleep sounds to help you fall and stay asleep, contactless sleep tracking with personalized insights, and a bedside light. Plus, the dimmable clock keeps your room dark at night, and you can control most things right from the device, so there’s no need to reach for your phone.

*After the 100th time I asked Andrew if he had seen my favorite bra in the wash because I NEEDED it for my next run… He told me it was time to get more so that I don’t have to wash it every day;). I LOVE Bandit bras (the normal one that I have). I bought this one (below), and couldn’t love it more. A gel pocket on both sides and a waterproof phone pocket make training so much easier for me. The compression on their bras is just right.

*If you want more favorites, you can check out my previous ones here, here, here, here, here, and here,

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Tell me about your weekend plans!

Two questions from Andrew:

When is it acceptable to start decorating for Halloween?

What is the most embarrassing thing you’ve asked AI lately?

The post Friday Favorites first appeared on The Hungry Runner Girl.